| If you celebrate each of your student's birthdays | | | | the summer months can be given their bags just |
| throughout the school year, you will likely run out of | | | | before school dismisses for summer vacation. |
| ideas before your students run out of birthdays. Here | | | | Personalize it. Most schools require foods to be |
| are some easy ways to help your students and their | | | | pre-packaged when they are brought in for the class. |
| classmates commemorate those special days in very | | | | Here's an idea you can pass on to parents who want |
| special, yet simple, ways. | | | | to make those pre-packaged treats more special. |
| Birthday rhyme time. Find a website or book that has | | | | Wrap each packaged cookie or candy inside a square |
| interesting sayings, jokes or funny poems that are | | | | of colored plastic wrap, add a non-food trinket, such as |
| age-appropriate for your class. Copy the ones you like | | | | stickers and a pencil, then secure the bundle with |
| onto colorful paper, then roll the paper into a scroll and | | | | curling ribbon. Bring the treats to class inside a large |
| secure with a ribbon. You can store the scrolls inside a | | | | basket or box bedecked with helium balloons. Play a |
| special bag, box or basket in the classroom. When it's | | | | few fun games, then offer children the treats as they |
| time to celebrate a student's birthday, call them to the | | | | leave to go home for the day. |
| front of the class and have them reach into the | | | | Shop once, party later. If your school allows full-fledged |
| container and choose a scroll. Make a special | | | | classroom parties, consider purchasing the party |
| presentation of the scroll to the birthday child, reading | | | | supplies you will need for the entire year in bulk. Not |
| what it says inside and finishing the event with | | | | only will you pay less, you will save time by not having |
| class-wide applause. Or make up witty fortunes and | | | | to run out at the last minute to buy what you need. |
| store them inside a large Chinese take-out box. You | | | | Each year make notes on what items you will need |
| can also vary the container to reflect the season or | | | | more of next year and what you bought too much of |
| holiday. | | | | this year. When you make your purchase, stick to the |
| It's in the bag. With a little help from parents, here is a | | | | most common party colors: red, green, orange, yellow, |
| way to manage all of your students' birthdays at once | | | | white and black. These basic colors will do double duty |
| and in plenty of time before their big day. When the | | | | for a number of holidays and seasons - not to mention |
| new school year begins, ask parents to send in small | | | | all the birthday parties your classroom will host this |
| trinkets, candy, stickers or other treats - at least one | | | | year. Any balloons and streamers you buy should be in |
| for each student in class. Purchase inexpensive "loot | | | | solid colors only. When you do want to celebrate |
| bags" at a party store, or use a white paper lunch bag. | | | | something specific - such as a birthday - have the |
| Decorate as needed and personalize with each child's | | | | class participate in making party favors or extra |
| name. Once you divide all the treats among the bags, | | | | decorations. These personalized gifts will make the |
| all you have to do is wait for each child's special day, | | | | birthday child's special day even more special. |
| then present it to them. Kids whose birthdays are in | | | | |